Candidates trade jabs in Jupiter town council race

Noting $1,500 campaign contributions to his opponent from Guanabanas restaurant and $1,000 from Toll Brothers home builders, challenger Joe Charles charges that incumbent Todd Wodraska is in the pocket of special interests.

Wodraska counters that Charles hasn’t been seen at town meetings. He hasn’t raised much money for his campaign. That shows Charles is not a serious candidate, said Wodraska.

(See list of campaign contributions after story)

Joe Charles

“(Charles) seems to show little interest is what is going on in the community. I don’t mind having an opponent. But if we are going to spend money on an election, it should be a serious campaign,” said Wodraska, 42, who is running for his fourth three-year term.

The town has budgeted $68,000 for the election, according to town records. The race between Wodraska and Charles is the only one on the March 11 ballot. Incumbent Wendy Harrison had an opponent, but he withdrew.

Charles, 70, counters that he is “serious as a heart attack” about his campaign. Charles said he has had a campaign interview with a group of Jupiter Realtors. He has upcoming campaign interviews with the Northern Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce and a local democratic club. His newsletter comes out about March 1.

“My strategy is to go directly to the people in printed form,” said Charles.

Taking money for donations is part of the political process, said Wodraska.

“I am not selling my vote. I remain accessible to those on all sides of an issue,” said Wodraska.